Any walking trails or parks with shade in Tucson/Oro Valley? (Phoenix: landscaping, university)

[Michigan Jean]

My husband and I are considering a move to the area. We like to take long walks and I like that I see many of the communities have walking trails. However, most of the trails seem to be out in the open and no shade. Does anyone know of any trails or parks with shade to go to in the summertime?

[Jimrob1]

I hiked on several of the bike trails in and around Tucson. I can't say I found much in the way of shade on the one's I was on. One was called the Rillito and another one was in Oro Valley, that went all the way to Tucson. Perhaps someone else will have more info on other trails in the area. I think shade is at a premium in Arizona to begin with, at least from Phoenix on down.

[orphaned]

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[xp701]

You won''t find "tree lined" hiking/walking trails/paths in Tucson; it's a DESERT! There are some nicely treed parks where you can walk though. Two in Oro Valley would be Tohono Chul Park, and James D. Kriegh Park. You can also find lots of shade and a pleasant place to walk at the Tucson Botanical Gardens and the Tucson Zoo or Reid Park in Tucson. You mention walking in the "summertime" and I have to wonder about your reality level and expectations for living in the desert. Shade or not, walking outdoors in 110° plus weather can be dangerous and is ill-advised. I walk every day, for exercise, but in the summer it's before or after sunrise.

[Michigan Jean]

Originally Posted by xp701

You won''t find "tree lined" hiking/walking trails/paths in Tucson; it's a DESERT! There are some nicely treed parks where you can walk though. Two in Oro Valley would be Tohono Chul Park, and James D. Kriegh Park. You can also find lots of shade and a pleasant place to walk at the Tucson Botanical Gardens and the Tucson Zoo or Reid Park in Tucson. You mention walking in the "summertime" and I have to wonder about your reality level and expectations for living in the desert. Shade or not, walking outdoors in 110° plus weather can be dangerous and is ill-advised. I walk every day, for exercise, but in the summer it's before or after sunrise.

Thanks, xp701. Tohono Chul Park looks like a nice place to visit.
Yes, I realize it's a desert there, but when we lived in Phoenix we actually found a park in Scottsdale that had large shade trees for our summer walks, and I was looking for something comparable in Tucson.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Michigan Jean

Thanks, xp701. Tohono Chul Park looks like a nice place to visit.
Yes, I realize it's a desert there, but when we lived in Phoenix we actually found a park in Scottsdale that had large shade trees for our summer walks, and I was looking for something comparable in Tucson.

I know the park you are thinking of in Scottsdale, but there's nothing really comparable in Tucson. Water sources and water use policies are different there, and greenbelts, etc., are just not found. Some of the above suggestions would be your best options, in morning and evening hours during summer.

[Michigan Jean]

Originally Posted by observer53

I know the park you are thinking of in Scottsdale, but there's nothing really comparable in Tucson. Water sources and water use policies are different there, and greenbelts, etc., are just not found. Some of the above suggestions would be your best options, in morning and evening hours during summer.

Many thanks, observer53!

[yellowbelle]

Woodshade Linear Park in O-V.

[Michigan Jean]

Thanks, yellowbelle. I just looked up this park and I found someone posted a You Tube video of it. Looks nice!

[Jukesgrrl]

Be advised about a couple of things that might be an issue to you. Tohono Chul is a private park run by a non-profit organization. You can have access to the restaurant, greenhouse, and shops without a membership but there's a fee for walking through the park ($10 for adults; an individual membership entitling an adult to unlimited access is $40/yr.) Woodshade Park is nice and is in lovely Rancho Vistoso (a development with exceptionally beautiful desert landscaping and designated walking paths), but it is in the far northern part of Oro Valley, about 15 miles from the University of Arizona.

One of the most heavily treed areas I know of in Tucson is historic Evergreen Cemetery. It's located on the west side of N. Oracle Road, north of Miracle Mile and south of Prince Road. Because of the greenery, it's quite a bird haven; I have even seen parrots in the trees there. Evergreen runs right into the newer Holy Hope Catholic Cemetery, which also has a lot of trees. I'm not sure, though, if there is any prohibition from using the cemeteries for fitness walks. There's nothing about it on their website. Perhaps someone else knows.

[Michigan Jean]

Thanks, Jukesgrrl. Good info - I definitely don't want to spend $10 to go for a walk . . .